SINGAPORE - The National Library Board (NLB) launched a new award on Friday to recognise pre-schools that come up with programmes to foster a love for reading among young children.
The inaugural Reading Innovation Award will be given out every five years to pre-schools, whose reading schemes will be assessed for their creativity and innovativeness, engagement of parents and the community, as well as effectiveness and impact. The judging panel comprises representatives from NLB, the Ministry of Education and the Early Childhood Development Agency.
Twenty pre-schools, 10 in the distinction category and 10 in the commendation category, received the award on Friday.
Minister of State for Communications and Information, Ms Sim Ann, presented the awards at a ceremony at Jurong Regional Library.
NLB chief executive Elaine Ng said: "Reading is an engaging way to jumpstart a child's journey of discovery. A child's love for reading sets the foundation for lifelong learning."
Mr Ian Yap, head of the judging panel and assistant director of reading initiatives at NLB, added: "Through this initiative, NLB hopes to enthuse more pre-schools to develop creative reading programmes that benefit many children. Parents can learn useful tips from these programmes and adopt good reading practices at home."
